Following the completion of the third round of the 2025 NRL season, several teams will look to change up their team, while others will enter Round 4 with the exact same line-up.
Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters), Daine Laurie (Penrith Panthers), Joseph Tapine (Canberra Raiders), Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos), Tom Trbojevic (Manly Sea Eagles) and Alex Johnston (South Sydney Rabbitohs) are just a few players that are set to be available for selective heading into Round 4.
However, while some return, the likes of Jahrome Hughes (Melbourne Storm), Connor Watson (Sydney Roosters), Jeral Skelton (Wests Tigers), Taniela Paseka (Manly Sea Eagles) and Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers) have been ruled out for this week.
After sustaining no injuries or suspensions over the weekend, Wayne Bennett will likely name the same line-up unless he decides to make some changes.
While Lachlan Hubner (suspension) remains out, Alex Johnston (Achilles) is pushing for a return and will be available from either Round 4 or Round 5 onwards.
If the veteran does return he will enter the side in a direct switch for former St George Illawarra Dragons winger Mikaele Ravalawa who made his club debut over the weekend.
Projected Round 4 Team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Jack Wighton 4. Campbell Graham 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Davvy Moale 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Tallis Duncan 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Siliva Havili 16. Liam Le Blanc 17. Tevita Tatola
The Penrith Panthers have suffered a massive blow for their match against the Rabbitohs with star halfback Nathan Cleary ruled out of the clash due to the NRL's mandatory concussion protocols.
Zero Tackle understands that Brad Schneider will enter the side and join Jack Cole in the halves in his absence.
"Yeah, he seems OK," Ivan Cleary said.
"He remembers the incident, so that's a good thing. So, yeah, hopefully he feels the same way tomorrow."
They will also still be without Dylan Edwards but will hope that Daine Laurie will be available and can return to the field at fullback.
Cleary revealed post-match after their match against the Storm that he "might be a chance" to play in Round 4 but is unlikely to be rushed back. Blaize Talagi is likely to be used at No.1 if Laurie remains sidelined.
Projected Round 4 Team: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Brian To'o 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Casey McLean 6. Jack Cole 7. Brad Schneider 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Blaize Talagi 15. Isaiah Papali'i 16. Liam Henry 17. Luke Garner
The Sydney Roosters are set to receive a double boost to their forward pack for this week after sustaining several injuries in that area to begin the 2025 NRL season.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Lindsay Collins (illness) will be named in the team, while Nat Butcher could return as they face the Gold Coast Titans on Friday night.
However, Connor Watson will be unavailable after being stood down due to the NRL's mandatory concussion protocols - Zach Dockay-Clay will likely be pushed into the starting team.
Projected Round 4 Team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Zach Dockar-Clay 10. Spencer Leniu 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Hugo Savala 15. Blake Steep 16. Nat Butcher 17. Naufahu Whyte
Des Hasler may have the opportunity to bring back winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira (hamstring) and front-rower Jaimin Jolliffe (calf) this week, depending on their injury status. However, both players remain sidelined indefinitely at the moment.
Per a report from The Courier-Mail, cross-code recruit Carter Gordon still remains unavailable for selection, whereas Josiah Pahulu (concussion) will make his way back into the side after sustaining a concussion in Round 2.
Projected Round 4 Team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 14. Chris Randall 15. David Fifita 16. Brock Gray 17. Josiah Pahulu
After a narrow loss to the Wests Tigers in Round 3, Kristian Woolf is still chasing his first victory as head coach and is set to make no changes ahead of the derby match against the Brisbane Broncos.
Projected Round 4 Team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Max Plath 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Oryn Keeley 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Ray Stone
After being named among the reserves last week, State of Origin and international representative Kotoni Staggs will make his long-awaited return this week as he plays in his first match of the season.
The inclusion of Staggs will push Deine Mariner out of the side with development player Gehamat Shibasaki being the better of the two at the moment.
Apart from Staggs' inclusion, the rest of the team is set to remain the same, with Michael Maguire to only make the one change.
Projected Round 4 Team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Billy Walters 15. Corey Jensen 16. Xavier Willison 17. Brendan Piakura
Centre Moses Suli (ribs) is racing the clock to be fit to play after suffering an injury in Round 2 and currently stands at a 50/50 chance to take the field.
Former Wests Tigers front-rower David Klemmer will make his first appearance for the club since signing with the Dragons for the remainder of the season.
It is understood that rookie Dylan Egan is also being considered as a shock bolter to make his NRL first-grade debut in Round 4, per News Corp.
“I'm just happy I'm still playing,” Klemmer told The Sydney Morning Herald.
“I still like getting up early and getting amongst it, and coming here to the Dragons, it's a bit of a freshen-up for me.
“It's just given me a real energy boost and I'm ready to rip in. I'll keep going as long as the body and mind let me, or someone tells me that's enough.
“For now, I'll just take it year by year and see how I'm going.
“If I'm still contributing and adding to a team, still having a crack, competing, then why not keep going?”
Projected Round 4 Team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. David Klemmer 9. Damien Cook 10. Emre Guler 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Toby Couchman
Craig Bellamy is looking at several changes for this week with Grant Anderson (knee), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (concussion), Jahrome Hughes (hand) and Nick Meaney (jaw) all set to be unavailable for Round 4.
While all four members were key to their win last week, they are set to receive a double boost as Jonah Pezet (hamstring) and Will Warbrick (concussion) will both be available and free to play this week.
Although the club confirmed that Anderson will be monitored during the week and his availability remains undetermined, Sua Fa'alogo, Dean Ieremia and Marion Seve are options to replace him in the back-line.
Projected Round 4 Team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Will Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Grant Anderson 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jonah Pezet 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Lazarus Vaalepu
With Braidon Burns (hamstring) still sidelined, Robert Derby is likely to keep his spot on the team, but Jaxson Paulo is another option if coach Todd Payten decides to shake things up.
After suffering an eye injury last round, the Cowboys are hopeful that centre Viliami Vailea will be available for Round 4, per The Courier-Mail.
If he is unavailable, Zac Laybutt will slot straight into the centres after an impressive showing in the QLD Cup competition for the Northern Pride over the weekend.
“Not good. He's gone to hospital. Copped a scratch, had blurred vision, it sort of came good and he went back out there, it went blurry again and it's not good,” Payten said after their match against the Broncos.
Predicted Round 4 Team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Kai O'Donnell 15. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess
Suspended for the previous two rounds, Canberra Raiders skipper Joseph Tapine will make his way back into the squad.
His return will see him make his way into the starting line-up, pushing veteran Josh Papalii to lock after the club confirmed that Morgan Smithies will miss Round 4 due to the NRL's mandatory concussion protocols.
Projected Round 4 Team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Matty Nicholson 13. Josh Papalii14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Trey Mooney 17. Ata Mariota
The Cronulla Sharks are sweating on the availability of Braden Hamlin-Uele (knee) and Siosifa Talakai (ankle) after they were both injured in the match against the Rabbitohs.
While Hamline-Uele is expected to spend a few weeks on the sidelines, Talakai may be available to play in Round 4 but the club have yet to provide an update on the interchange duo.
Their absence could potentially see former Canberra Raiders forward Hohepa Puru make his club debut, as Thomas Hazelton (back), Toby Rudolf (shoulder) and Jesse Colquhoun (knee) all still remain sidelined with various injuries.
"I'm not sure what happened to Braden, but we thought it was a medial. I'm not sure of the severity,” Craig Fitzgibbon said.
“With Sifa, it's obviously his ankle, but again, I'm not too sure of the severity.”
Projected Round 4 Team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sam Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10 Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Tuku Hau Tapuha 17. Hohepa Puru
The Bulldogs are expected to remain unchanged for Round 4 as Matt Burton, Jacob Kiraz, Samuel Hughes and Viliame Kikau are all set to remain on the sidelines until at least after their bye.
Projected Round 4 Team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Bailey Hayward 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Sitili Tupouniua 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann 14. Josh Curran 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Harry Hayes 17. Jaeman Salmon
The Manly Sea Eagles will receive a massive boost in Tom Trbojevic's return from injury after coach Anthony Seibold confirmed last week that he will start at fullback against the Eels.
Although the fullback will make his way back into the side, front-rower Taniela Paseka has sustained a suspected Achilles rupture and could spend the remainder of the season on the sidelines.
Toafofoa Sipley and Nathan Brown appear as the primary candidates to replace him in the line-up.
“I think he's booked in for an operation tomorrow, which is really disappointing for Taniela, him personally and his family, and us as a club,” Seibold said on Sunday.
“He's been a starting front rower since I've been at the club and someone that we value on and off the field.
“He'll be missed but he'll have the operation and we make sure that we get around him and look after him.”
Projected Round 4 Team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Toafofoa Sipley 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Josh Aloiai
Although no Eels players sustained injuries during their match against the Canterbury Bulldogs in Round 3, coach Jason Ryles may opt to make several changes as the team currently sit with an 0-3 record.
This could see the likes of Brendan Hands, Wiremu Greig, Bailey Simonsson, Ryan Matterson, Kelma Tuilagi, Bryce Cartwright, or Charlie Guymer be promoted to the first-grade squad after they all played in the NSW Cup earlier in the day.
Projected Round 4 Team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Jordan Samrani 3. Will Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Jack Williams 12. Shaun Lane 13. J'maine Hopgood 14. Ryley Smith 15. Matt Doorey 16. Kitione Kautoga 17. Sam Tuivaiti
After back-to-back wins, the Wests Tigers will be looking to make it three-straight on Sunday night but may be forced into at least one change with winger Jeral Skelton exiting the field after sustaining a hamstring injury.
It is understood that back-rower Samuela Fainu also sustained an injury, but the type of injury is unknown and the club will know more in the coming days.
As reported by The Daily Telegraph, scans have cleared Skelton of any serious injury and is considered a chance to take the field on Sunday, while Fainu confirmed to the publication that he will be available for selection.
If Skelton is deemed unfit, the Tigers have several options to replace him, with Charlie Staines and Luke Laulilii at the front of the line. Staines had an impressive showing at fullback in the NSW Cup last week, while Laulilii is on the mend from concussion.
Projected Round 4 Team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To'a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu
Andrew Webster will be forced into at least one change for Sunday's clash with winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck failing to finish the Round 3 match after suffering a hamstring injury.
Edward Kosi and Rocco Berry will contend for the vacant spot after they defeated the Sydney Roosters 46-12 in the NSW Cup.
Zero Tackle understands that Berry has won the vacant wing spot in the team after Edwards Kosi was named in the NSW Cup side for this week.
Projected Round 4 team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Taine Tuaupiki 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Edward Kosi 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Leka Halasima
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